U.S. patent number 6,604,836 [Application Number 09/965,649] was granted by the patent office on 2003-08-12 for variable lighted make-up mirror.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Conair Corporation. Invention is credited to Vito J. Carlucci, Richard Neil Tobin.
United States Patent |
6,604,836 |
Carlucci , et al. |
August 12, 2003 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Variable lighted make-up mirror
Abstract
An illuminated mirror is provided that has a first light source
of a first color and a second light source of a second color, a
reflective surface adapted to be illuminated by the light sources,
and a switch. The switch selectively controls the flow of power to
the first light source, the second light source, or both light
sources. Controlling the flow of power to the first light source
simulates home light. Controlling the flow of power to the second
light source simulates office light. Controlling the flow of power
to both light sources simulates Day light.
Inventors: |
Carlucci; Vito J. (Stratford,
CT), Tobin; Richard Neil (Stamford, CT) |
Assignee: |
Conair Corporation (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
25510276 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/965,649 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/140; 362/135;
362/137; 362/142; 362/802; 362/144 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D
42/10 (20130101); F21V 9/02 (20130101); F21V
9/40 (20180201); F21V 33/004 (20130101); A47G
1/02 (20130101); F21V 21/29 (20130101); Y10S
362/802 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
1/00 (20060101); A47G 1/02 (20060101); A45D
42/00 (20060101); A45D 42/10 (20060101); F21V
33/00 (20060101); F21V 9/00 (20060101); F21V
9/02 (20060101); F21V 21/29 (20060101); F21V
21/14 (20060101); F21V 9/10 (20060101); F21V
033/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;362/129,135,136,137,140,141,142,143,144,231,236
;315/216,217,312,315,317,320 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sember; Thomas M.
Assistant Examiner: Amarantides; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero &
Perle, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A variable lighted mirror, comprising: a first light source of a
first color; a second light source of a second color; a reflective
surface adapted to illuminate the face of a user with various light
settings experienced by the user during the course of a day; and a
switch selectively, operatively connectable to two or more nodes
for controlling the flow of power to either said first light
source, said second light source, or both said first and second
light sources.
2. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein said first light
source comprises at least one incandescent light bulb, and wherein
said second light comprises at least one incandescent light
bulb.
3. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein said first color is
white light, and wherein said second color is blue light.
4. The illuminated mirror of claim 3, wherein said second light
source comprises at least one incandescent light bulb having a
surface painted blue so as to filter light emitted therefrom.
5. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein said switch is a
multiple position switch selected from the group consisting of a
rotary dial switch and a linear slide switch.
6. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein selectively
controlling the flow of power to said second light source
illuminates said reflective surface so as to simulate office
light.
7. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein selectively
controlling the flow of power to said first light source and said
second light source illuminates said reflective surface so as to
simulate day light.
8. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, further comprising a
rectifier and wherein said switching means is further adapted to
selectively control the flow of power to said first light source
through said rectifier such that said first light source is
partially powered.
9. The illuminated mirror of claim 1, wherein selectively
controlling the flow of power to said first light source
illuminates said reflective surface so as to simulate home
light.
10. The illuminated mirror of claim 9, wherein selectively
controlling the flow of power to said first light source through
said rectifier illuminates said reflective surface so as to
simulate evening light.
11. An illuminated mirror, comprising: a first plurality of
incandescent lights; a second plurality of incandescent lights; a
mirror adapted to illuminate the face of a user with various light
settings experienced by the user during the course of a day; and a
switch selectively, operatively connectable to two or more nodes
for selectively controlling the flow of power to either said first
plurality of incandescent lights, to said second plurality of
incandescent lights, or to both said first and second pluralities
of incandescent lights.
12. The illuminated mirror of claim 11, wherein said first
plurality of incandescent light bulbs radiate white light, and
wherein said second plurality of incandescent light bulbs radiate
blue light.
13. The illuminated mirror of claim 11, wherein said switch is a
multiple position switch selected from the group consisting of a
rotary dial switch and a linear slide switch.
14. The illuminated mirror of claim 11, further comprising a
rectifier, and wherein said switch is further adapted to
selectively controlling the flow of power to said first plurality
of incandescent light bulbs through said rectifier such that said
first plurality of incandescent light bulbs is partially
powered.
15. The illuminated mirror of claim 14, wherein controlling the
flow of power to said first plurality of incandescent light bulbs
through said rectifier simulates evening light.
16. The illuminated mirror of claim 11, wherein controlling the
flow of power to said first light source simulates home light,
controlling the flow of power to said second light source simulates
office light, and controlling the flow of power to said first light
source and said second light source simulates day light.
17. A method of illuminating a mirror adapted to be illuminated by
a first plurality of incandescent lights and a second plurality of
incandescent lights to one of a number of different light settings,
comprising the steps of: providing a first plurality of
incandescent lights; a second plurality of incandescent lights; a
mirror adapted to illuminate the face of a user with various light
settings experienced by the user during the course of a day; and a
switch selectively, operatively connectable to one or more nodes
for selectively controlling the flow of power to either said first
plurality of incandescent lights, to said second plurality of
incandescent lights, or to both said first and second pluralities
of incandescent lights; controlling the flow of power to the first
plurality of incandescent lights to illuminate the mirror in a
first one of the different light settings; controlling the flow of
power to the second plurality of incandescent lights to illuminate
the mirror in a second one of the different light settings; and
controlling the flow of power to both the first and second
pluralities of incandescent lights to illuminate the mirror a third
one of the different light settings.
18. The method of illuminating a mirror of claim 17, wherein the
first plurality of incandescent light bulbs radiate white light,
and the second plurality of incandescent light bulbs radiate blue
light.
19. The method of illuminating a mirror of claim 17, wherein the
first one of the different light settings simulates home light, the
second one of the different light settings simulates office light,
and the third one of the different light settings simulates day
light.
20. The method of illuminating a mirror of claim 17, further
comprising: controlling the flow of power to the first plurality of
incandescent light bulbs through a rectifier in a fourth one of the
different light setting to partially power the first plurality of
incandescent light bulbs and simulate evening light.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an illuminated mirror for use in
applying make-up. Moreover, the present invention relates to a
variable lighted make-up mirror. The mirror illuminates the face of
the user with various light settings experienced by the user during
the course of a day.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is generally known in the art to provide mirror illuminated by
fluorescent bulbs and containing various light filters, which
permits the mirror to illuminate the face of the user with various
light settings. However, such devices require mechanical means such
as levers, switches, gears and the like to maneuver the various
light filters into position between the fluorescent light source
and the user. Such mechanical means add expense, complexity and
lower durability to the device.
It is also known in the art to provide mirror illuminated by
incandescent bulbs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,828 to Aprino
provides a lighted mirror having a plurality of incandescent lamps.
Some of the lamps provide red light and other lamps provide white
light. The lamps providing red light are connected in parallel to
one another. Similarly, the lamps providing white light are
connected in parallel to one another. The lamps proving red light
are connected in series to the lamps providing white light across a
source of 100-volt power. The red lamps are connected to an
electronic control circuit for varying the intensity of light
emitted from the red lamps. However, such lighted mirrors require
means for varying the intensity of light emitted, which adds
complexity and expense to the mirror.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mirror for
use in applying make-up.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a
mirror that is illuminated by a plurality of incandescent light
sources.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a
mirror in which some of the light sources are of a first color,
some of the light sources are of a second color, and a selector
selectively and fully powers various combinations of the light
sources to simulate various light settings.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by an
illuminated mirror having a first light source of a first color and
a second light source of a second color, a reflective surface, and
a switch. The reflective surface is adapted to be illuminated by
the light sources in various light settings. The switch selectively
powers either the first light source, the second light source, or
to both light sources. Preferably, powering the first light source
simulates home light, powering the second light source simulates
office light, and day light is simulated by powering both light
sources.
The present invention also provides a method of illuminating a
mirror to one of a number of different light settings, such as a
day light setting, an office light setting, and a home light
setting. The light settings are selected via a selector disposed on
the mirror. The mirror is adapted to be illuminated by a first
plurality of incandescent light bulbs and a second plurality of
incandescent light bulbs. Selecting the home light setting powers
the first plurality of incandescent light bulbs. Selecting the
office light setting powers the second plurality of incandescent
light bulbs. Selecting the daylight setting powers both the first
and second pluralities of incandescent light bulbs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a cross section of a first embodiment of the mirror of
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the rim of the mirror of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the upper swivel connection of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a first electrical schematic for the mirror of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 is a second electrical schematic for the mirror of FIG.
1;
FIG. 6 is a cross section of a second embodiment of the mirror of
the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a first electrical schematic for the mirror of FIG. 6;
and
FIG. 8 is a second electrical schematic for the mirror of FIG.
6.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the figures and particularly to FIG. 1, a lighted
mirror designated by reference numeral 10 is shown. Mirror 10 has a
reflective surface 15, a housing 20, and a stand 50. Reflective
surface 15 is adapted to be connected to housing 20, which is
adapted to be connected to stand 50.
Housing 20 has a first incandescent light source 31 and a second
incandescent light source 32, each operatively connected to a power
source 80. Preferably, power source 80 is a standard residential
120-volt power source. The connection of first incandescent light
source 31, second incandescent light source 32, and power source 80
is preferably through a first switch 60 and a power cord 81.
Referring to FIG. 2, reflective surface 15 is a circular surface
and is connected to housing 20 by a sleeve 24. Housing 20 has an
access door 21 removably sealed to the housing. Access door 21
permits access to first and second light sources 31, 32 to enable
replacement of the light sources as needed. First and second light
sources 31, 32 are preferably operatively connected to holders 30.
Holders 30 are electrically connected to power source 80 through
first switch 60 and power cord 81. Optionally, housing 20 has a
reflective coating 23 disposed in the inside of the housing to
internally reflect and magnify light from first and second light
sources 31, 32.
Stand 50 includes a mirror stem 51 and a base 52. Preferably, base
52 is connected to stem 51 by a lower swivel connection 55 and stem
51 is connected to housing 20 by an upper swivel connection 57.
Thus, the user adjusts housing 20 by swivel connections 55, 57 to
present reflective surface 15 at an optimal position.
Lower swivel connection 55 includes a swivel ball 70 disposed on
the lower end of stem 51. Ball 70 is retained in base 52 by a
collar 71 and a spring 72. In its normal position, ball 70 is
biased against collar 71 by spring 72. In order to swivel lower
swivel connection 55, the user depresses stem 51, which causes ball
70 to overcome the biasing force of spring 72, enabling the ball to
swivel freely with respect to collar 71. Once adjusted to the
desired position, the user releases stem 51. Thus, spring 72 biases
ball 70 against collar 71, locking stem 51 in place.
Upper swivel connection 57, shown in FIG. 3, has a hex nut 58 and a
washer 59, which attaches mirror housing 20 to stem 51. Hex nut 58
is preferably threaded onto a threaded tubing 61. Threaded tubing
61 preferably terminates in a drilled and tapped block (not shown)
that is set in a pocket (not shown) of stem 51 and retained such
that it can swivel in at least one axis approximately 90 degrees to
enable mirror 10 to be tilted in one or more directions.
In a preferred embodiment, first incandescent light source 31 is at
least one incandescent bulb and second incandescent light source 32
is at least one incandescent bulb. Light emitted from first and
second light sources 31, 32 are radiated from housing 20 through
rim 22. The user changes the color of the light radiated by mirror
10 by selectively energizing various combinations of light sources
31, 32 by first switch 60.
Source 31 radiates light of a first color. Source 32 radiates light
of a second color. In one embodiment, first light source 31
radiates white light, and second light source 32 radiates blue
light. Preferably, second light source 32 radiates blue light by
radiating light through a blue filter. The blue filter is
preferably painted or in the glass directly on second light source
32.
Mirror 10 is adapted to radiate light of different colors through
rim 22 in order to approximate the various light settings present
during the course of the day. The light setting of mirror 10 is
adjusted by first switch 60. First switch 60 controls the flow of
power from power source 80 to first light source 31 and/or second
light source 32. For instance, the user is able to adjust the light
radiated by mirror 10 to approximate: (1) office light in which
power flows only to second light source 32; (2) home light in which
power flows only to first light source 31; (3) day light in which
power flows to both first and second light sources 31, 32; or (4)
evening light in which partial power flows only to first light
source 31.
Referring to FIG. 4, first switch 60 is operatively connectable to
four nodes, namely node 1, node 2, node 3 and node 4. More
specifically, node 1 is operatively connected to first light source
31 through rectifier 62; node 2 is operatively connected to first
light source 31, but not through rectifier 62; node 3 is
operatively connected to second light source 32; and node 4 is
operatively connected to power source 80. First switch 60 has an
off position, an office light position, a home light position, an
evening light position, and a day light position. Preferably, first
switch 60 is a rotary switch.
Thus, first switch 60 does not operatively connect node 4 to either
light source 31, 32 in the off position. In the "office light"
position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to node 3 to
power second light source 32. In the "home light" position, first
switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to node 2 to power first
light source 31. In the "evening light" position, first switch 60
operatively connects node 4 to node 1 to power first light source
31 through rectifier 62. Rectifier 62 is adapted to adjust the
amount of voltage provided to power first light source 31.
Accordingly, rectifier 62 only partially powers first light source
31. In a preferred embodiment, rectifier 62 is a diode. In the "day
light" position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to
node 2 and to node 3 and thus powers both first light source 31 and
second light source 32.
In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, first switch 60 is
preferably operatively connectable to a second switch 63 and ten
nodes, namely node 2, node 2', node 3, node 3', node 4, node 4',
node 5, node 5', node 6, and node 6'. When second switch 63 is in
an "off" position, node 1 preferably is not connected to node 1'
and thus, first switch 60 is not operable. When second switch 63 is
in an "on" position, node 1 is connected to node 1' and first
switch 60 is operatively connected to light sources 31 and 32.
First switch 60 preferably has an "evening light" position, a "home
light" position, an "office light" position and a "day light"
position. Preferably, first switch 60 is a slide switch.
Power source 80 is operatively connected to node 1, which is
operatively connected to node 1' via second switch 63. Nodes 1', 3,
4', 6 and 6' are preferably operatively connected to one another.
Node 2 is operatively connected to first light source 31 through
rectifier 62. Node 4 and node 5 are also operatively connected to
first light source 31, however not through rectifier 62. Node 5' is
operatively connected to second light source 32.
In the "evening light" position, preferably first switch 60
operatively connects node 2 to node 3 and node 2' to node 3', and
enables first light source 31 to be powered through rectifier 62.
Rectifier 62 is preferably adapted to adjust the amount of voltage
provided to power first light source 31. Accordingly, rectifier 62
only partially powers first light source 31. In the "home light"
position, preferably first switch 60 operatively connects node 3 to
node 4 and node 3' to node 4', and enables first light source 31 to
be fully powered absent the dampening effect of rectifier 62. In
the "office light" position, preferably first switch 60 operatively
connects node 4 to node 5 and node 4' to node 5', and enables
second light source 32 to be fully powered. In the "day light"
position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 5 to node 6 and
node 5' to node 6', and enables both first light source 31 and
second light source 32 to be fully powered.
An alternate embodiment of mirror 10 is shown in FIG. 6 as mirror
10'. Mirror 10' has a rectangular reflective surface 15, a housing
20, and a stand (not shown). Reflective surface 15 is adapted to be
connected to housing 20, which is adapted to be connected to the
stand.
Housing 20 has two first incandescent light sources 31 and two
second incandescent light sources 32 operatively connected to power
source 80. Light emitted from first and second light sources 31, 32
is radiated from housing 20 through an elongated light diffuser 27.
The user changes the color of the light radiated by mirror 10' by
selectively energizing various combinations of light sources 31, 32
via first switch 60.
Preferably, first and second light sources 31, 32 are operatively
connected to holders 30. Holders 30 are electrically connected to
power source 80 through first switch 60 and power cord 81. As with
the embodiment of FIG. 1, housing 20 optionally includes a
reflective coating 23 disposed in the housing to internally reflect
and magnify light from first and second light sources 31, 32.
As described above, sources 31 radiate light of a first color, and
light sources 32 radiate light of a second color. In a preferred
embodiment, first light sources 31 radiate white light and second
light sources 32 radiate blue light.
Referring to FIG. 7, first switch 60 is operatively connectable to
four nodes, namely node 1, node 2, node 3 and node 4. More
specifically, node 1 is operatively connected to first light
sources 31 through rectifier 62; node 2 is operatively connected to
first light sources 31, but not through rectifier 62; node 3 is
operatively connected to second light sources 32; and node 4 is
operatively connected to power source 80. First switch 60 has an
off position, an office light position, a home light position, an
evening light position, and a day light position. Preferably, first
switch 60 is a rotary switch.
Thus, first switch 60 does not operatively connect node 4 to either
light sources 31, 32 in the off position. In the "office light"
position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to node 3 to
power second light sources 32. In the "home light" position, first
switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to node 2 to power first
light sources 31. In the "evening light" position, first switch 60
operatively connects node 4 to node 1 to power first light sources
31 through rectifier 62. Rectifier 62 is adapted to adjust the
amount of voltage provided to power first light sources 31.
Accordingly, rectifier 62 only partially powers first light sources
31. In a preferred embodiment, rectifier 62 is a diode. In the "day
light" position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 4 to
node 2 and to node 3 and thus powers both first light sources 31
and second light sources 32.
Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8
has first switch 60 preferably operatively connectable to a second
switch 63 and ten nodes, namely node 2, node 2', node 3, node 3',
node 4, node 4', node 5, node 5', node 6, and node 6'. When second
switch 63 is in an "off" position, node 1 preferably is not
connected to node 1' and thus, first switch 60 is not operable.
When second switch 63 is in an "on" position, node 1 is connected
to node 1' and first switch 60 is operatively connected to light
sources 31 and 32. First switch 60 preferably has an "evening
light" position, a "home light" position, an "office light"
position and a "day light" position. Preferably, first switch 60 is
a slide switch.
Power source 80 is operatively connected to node 1, which is
operatively connected to node 1' via second switch 63. Nodes 1', 3,
4', 6 and 6' are preferably operatively connected to one another.
Node 2 is operatively connected to first light sources 31 through
rectifier 62. Node 4 and node 5 are also operatively connected to
first light sources 31, however not through rectifier 62. Node 5'
is operatively connected to second light sources 32.
In the "evening light" position, preferably first switch 60
operatively connects node 2 to node 3 and node 2' to node 3', and
enables first light sources 31 to be powered through rectifier 62.
Rectifier 62 is preferably adapted to adjust the amount of voltage
provided to power first light sources 31. Accordingly, rectifier 62
only partially powers first light sources 31. In the "home light"
position, preferably first switch 60 operatively connects node 3 to
node 4 and node 3' to node 4', and enables first light sources 31
to be fully powered absent the dampening effect of rectifier 62. In
the "office light" position, preferably first switch 60 operatively
connects node 4 to node 5 and node 4' to node 5', and enables
second light sources 32 to be fully powered. In the "day light"
position, first switch 60 operatively connects node 5 to node 6 and
node 5' to node 6', and enables both first light sources 31 and
second light sources 32 to be fully powered.
It should be understood from the foregoing description that any
shape mirror having one or more first light sources and one or more
second light sources are included within the scope of the present
invention. It should also be understood the present invention
function with any combination of first and second light sources,
such as, but not limited to, three first light sources and two
second light sources. Moreover, it should be understood that the
foregoing description is only illustrative of the present
invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *